how to be alone (& embrace it)

Yesterday, I posted about a new series, On the Road, that my fiance will be writing for this blog. You can read that post here, but the jist is that he's the Stage Manager for a band, and he is gone - far away from home - for half the year, every year.  It's an interesting, exciting way to live.  It can also be very lonely.

I've always considered myself to be a very independent person.  But I'm also a free spirit with a bad case of wanderlust, and as much as I appreciate the occasional time to myself, it goes against my nature to be alone for long periods of time.  Right now, I don't have a choice.  Between Robbie's crazy schedule, my work load, working from a home studio, and a sick doggy who can't be left by himself for more than an hour or so, I've found myself spending a lot of time - well - alone.  And as a relatively social person who likes to travel and explore and be around people (especially Robbie, who is my very best friend), sometimes spending so much time by myself makes me sad.

My friends often send their condolences (and/or pity) when Robbie leaves for long runs.  I posted something on my Facebook page yesterday along the lines of "Robbie just left for a month and I sure am feeling sorry for myself right now."  My friend Liz, who also spends long periods of time alone when her partner is away, saw my status update.  But instead of telling me that she felt sorry for me too, she sent me an incredibly beautiful video about embracing this alone-ness, and empowering yourself through it.  The video, made by two exceptionally talented women (filmmaker Andrea Dorfman and poet/singer/songwriter Tanya Davis), made me cry a little - because the concept is so simple, but so easily forgotten.

As artists and people who work in creative fields, many of us find ourselves alone with our work.  And watching this video reminded me that sometimes, that can be quite inspiring.  There isn't much I can do to fight all of this alone time I'm facing lately, regardless of my yearning for the days when being more of a wanderer and social butterfly was an option.  So I decided that I might as well embrace it, and use it as inspiration for my work. 

I think we can all find the positive in embracing our solitude. It's not necessarily an easy process, but I think that maybe being alone can become a sort of fuel for exploring our creativity without excessive stimuli.  I'll let you know how it goes. :)

I hope this truly lovely video, and the pretty "alone" themed images here, bring you some inspiration as well - whether you find yourself alone often or just from time to time.

Image sources top: 1, 2, 3, 4.